Please visit our policy page to see age requirements, vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94608.

How do I sign up?

Scroll down to the list of classes.

Find a class time and date that suits you.

Fill out the new student form.

Watch our latest video. Nothing fancy, just a bunch of footage that ended up on our phones. The first half shows Francis and his dog, Schwartz, a little terrier mix he found roaming the streets of Oakland. The second half shows some nice moments we captured during our classes last year, including seminars in Spain and New York.

Circus 2 students learn tricks on the mat.

A group shot from our seminar in Buffalo, New York. Many thanks to our hosts at The Barking Lot for putting together such a great group of trainers.

Start Here

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.)

Circus 1 Class:

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Returning Students email us which class to hold or call us 415-779-6550

Prepay to reserve your spot

Below: Our training ring in its summer glory.

Are you ready for the next step?

Circus 1.5 Class:

In the Circus 1.5 Class our drills get faster and more complicated. The dog works with more independence from the handler and with more control. Graduates of Circus 1 and Small Dog Circus 1 who are ready for the next level of training can sign up for Circus 1.5.

Below: Chris, Nessie and Francis work on the double hoop. Not all Bull breeds are tough guys, many need to work on their confidence in challenging situations.

Above: Borte poses in the Sit Pretty position.

Advanced Class

Circus 2.0 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

Below: A demonstration of the Canine Circus School curriculum at the San Francisco Exploritorium.

Below: Francis Metcalf and his dog Balzac. Francis and Balzac came in second place in the 2014 NARA Cup making them 2014 National French Ring 1 Vice Champion. Your dog, big or small, rambunctious or shy, is in safe hands with Francis as your teacher.

Please visit our policy page to see age requirements, vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609.

~Scroll down for list of Classes~

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Circus 2 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

Stay tuned folks, we’ll post the NEW 2015 Class Schedule soon. If you’d like us to keep you updated on the new Class Calendar, just fill out this Canine Circus School form and you’ll be the first to know!

We are currently offering private training lessons, so if you need dog training help of any kind, and would like to schedule a private lesson, we would be happy to set something up at your earliest convenience. Please fill out this private training form, or give us a call at 415-779-6550 or send an email.

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville). Where do I begin? At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1. No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609.

~Scroll down for list of Classes~

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Circus 2 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

Stay tuned folks, we’ll post the NEW October – November 2014 Class Schedule later today. If you’d like us to send you an e-mail to your in-box announcing the Class Calendar, just fill out this quick form and you’ll be the first to know!

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville). Where do I begin? At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1. No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609.

Our Introduction to Circus Class 1 is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus 1 Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Continuing Circus 1 Class is for students who have completed the Introductory Circus 1 class but need more time to work on their foundation. Often it takes more than six weeks to master this material, so we created continuing level for students who know our basic drills but need more time before they continue onto the next level. In this class we introduce new material so students are always learning new things but we are careful to keep the criteria perfectly balanced so students have continued success.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1 Ring; $195, 6-week course.

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and are new to the Circus 1.5 Ring; $260, 6-week course.

email us which class time to hold and prepay to reserve your spot in class.

Continuing Circus 1.5 Class is for students that have completed Circus 1.5 but need and want more time to work on their skills before continuing to the next level. Continued 1.5 students are prepped for Circus 2.

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville). Where do I begin? At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1. No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609.

Our Introduction to Circus Class 1 is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus 1 Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Continuing Circus 1 Class is for students who have completed the Introductory Circus 1 class but need more time to work on their foundation. Often it takes more than six weeks to master this material, so we created continuing level for students who know our basic drills but need more time before they continue onto the next level. In this class we introduce new material so students are always learning new things but we are careful to keep the criteria perfectly balanced so students have continued success.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1 Ring; $195, 6-week course.

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and are new to the Circus 1.5 Ring; $260, 6-week course.

email us which class time to hold and prepay to reserve your spot in class.

Continuing Circus 1.5 Class is for students that have completed Circus 1.5 but need and want more time to work on their skills before continuing to the next level. Continued 1.5 students are prepped for Circus 2.

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Where do I begin? At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1. No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class. Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550

You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609

Our Introduction to Circus Class 1 is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow.

A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus 1 Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Continuing Circus 1 Class is for students who have completed the Introductory Circus 1 class but need more time to work on their foundation. Often it takes more than six weeks to master this material, so we created continuing level for students who know our basic drills but need more time before they continue onto the next level.

In this class we introduce new material so students are always learning new things but we are careful to keep the criteria perfectly balanced so students have continued success.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1 Ring; $195, 6-week course.

Continuing Circus 1.5 Class is for students that have completed Circus 1.5 but need and want more time to work on their skills before continuing to the next level. Continued 1.5 students are prepped for Circus 2.

Circus 2 Class: Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Where do I begin? At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1. No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class. Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550

You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609

Our Introduction to Circus Class 1 is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow.

A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus 1 Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Continuing Circus 1 Class is for students who have completed the Introductory Circus 1 class but need more time to work on their foundation. Often it takes more than six weeks to master this material, so we created continuing level for students who know our basic drills but need more time before they continue onto the next level.

In this class we introduce new material so students are always learning new things but we are careful to keep the criteria perfectly balanced so students have continued success.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1 Ring; $195, 6-week course.

Continuing Circus 1.5 Class is for students that have completed Circus 1.5 but need and want more time to work on their skills before continuing to the next level. Continued 1.5 students are prepped for Circus 2.

Circus 2 Class: Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

Francis is someone I’ve known for nearly 20 years now and I can honestly say he is a uniquely gifted man who always advocates for dogs. They love him. Adore him. Can’t get enough. When Francis walks into the room my dogs act like it’s Christmas morning; and it is, because he always gives them the gift of his full attention and works to make every interaction with dogs as positive and fun as possible. I’ve not met anyone quite like him in dogs.

-All Classes meet for 6-consecutive weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Where do I begin? At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1. No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class. Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550

You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609

Our Introduction to Circus Class 1 is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow.

A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus 1 Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Continuing Circus 1 Classis for students who have completed the Introductory Circus 1 class but need more time to work on their foundation. Often it takes more than six weeks to master this material, so we created continuing level for students who know our basic drills but need more time before they continue onto the next level.

In this class we introduce new material so students are always learning new things but we are careful to keep the criteria perfectly balanced so students have continued success.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1 Ring; $195, meets weekly for 6-consecutive weeks.

Continuing Circus 1.5 Classis for students that have completed Circus 1.5 but need and want more time to work on their skills before continuing to the next level. Continued 1.5 students are prepped for Circus 2.

Circus 2 Class: Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.